Plant-Mediated Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles with <i>Matricaria chamomilla</i> Aqueous Extract
Andrea Paut,
Lucija Guć,
Martina Vrankić,
Doris Crnčević,
Pavla Šenjug,
Damir Pajić,
Renata Odžak,
Matilda Šprung,
Kristian Nakić,
Marijan Marciuš,
Ante Prkić,
Ivana Mitar
Affiliations
Andrea Paut
Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000 Split, Croatia
Lucija Guć
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Martina Vrankić
Laboratory for Synthesis and Crystallography of Functional Materials, Division of Materials Physics, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Doris Crnčević
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Pavla Šenjug
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Bijenička Cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Damir Pajić
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Bijenička Cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Renata Odžak
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Matilda Šprung
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Kristian Nakić
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Marijan Marciuš
Laboratory for Synthesis of New Materials, Division of Materials Chemistry, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Ante Prkić
Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 35, 21000 Split, Croatia
Ivana Mitar
Faculty of Science, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 33, 21000 Split, Croatia
Magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) possess properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications. In recent years, interest in the synthesis of magnetite NPs and their surface functionalization has increased significantly, especially regarding their application in biomedicine such as for controlled and targeted drug delivery. There are several conventional methods for preparing magnetite NPs, all of which mostly utilize Fe(iii) and Fe(ii) salt precursors. In this study, we present a microwave hydrothermal synthesis for the precipitation of magnetite NPs at temperatures of 200 °C for 20 min and 260 °C for 5 min, with only iron(iii) as a precursor utilizing chamomile flower extract as a stabilizing, capping, and reducing agent. Products were characterized using FTIR, PXRD, SEM, and magnetometry. Our analysis revealed significant differences in the properties of magnetite NPs prepared with this approach, and the conventional two-precursor hydrothermal microwave method (sample MagH). FTIR and PXRD analyses confirmed coated magnetite particles. The temperature and magnetic-field dependence of magnetization indicate their superparamagnetic behavior. Importantly, the results of our study show the noticeable cytotoxicity of coated magnetite NPs—toxic to carcinoma cells but harmless to healthy cells—further emphasizing the potential of these NPs for biomedical applications.
